Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the plant is receiving direct sunlight.
- Measure the humidity levels in your room.
- Inspect the soil to ensure it is not drying out too quickly.
Likely causes
Sunburn
Most likelyHow to tell: Crispy brown patches appear on the leaves that face the light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it directly in a sunny window where the leaves can get scorched.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and dry while the rest of the plant looks okay.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a humid microclimate. You can also place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase the moisture in the air.
Find out what's wrong with your fittonia
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they indicate the plant is unhappy with its current spot. If the browning spreads to the whole leaf, you should adjust your care immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your nerve plant in a humid environment like a bathroom or kitchen, and ensure it only gets soft, indirect light.
Fittonia: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fittonia and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can snip the brown edges with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Is my tap water causing the brown tips?
- It is possible if your water is very hard. Try using filtered or distilled water to see if the new growth stays green.
More problems with Fittonia
- Why is my nerve plant drooping so suddenly?
- How do I know if my nerve plant has root rot?
- Why are my nerve plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my nerve plant looking leggy and stretched out?
- Why is my nerve plant dropping its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my nerve plant leaves?
- How do I get rid of bugs on my nerve plant?
- Why are my nerve plant leaves curling up?
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.